Morocco to Help Beggars
One aspect of traveling in Morocco, especially if you are traveling in the cities, is the abundant amount of beggars in the streets. While the gap between the rich and poor is arguably becoming smaller, Morocco still has nearly 500,000 beggars that the country is attempting to re-integrate into their familial setting and helping them to find work. The program is also aimed at foiling hired beggars, many of which are children who work in order to earn five to ten dollars per week.
The Ministry of Social Development, Family, and Solidarity is attempting to use donor monies and sponsorship from companies in order to integrate Morocco’s beggars into the economic fabric of the country. The program, which is being appraised because of its attempt to integrate from a social level will also attempt to discourage begging and raise public awareness that giving money isn’t necessarily going to help beggars in the long run, especially when children are being hired to play the role of a beggar – teaching them bad habits and keeping them from school.

In some strong words, Minister Abderrahim El Harouchi spoke about what he calls an “epidemic that weakens Moroccans’ honor and human rights…” The goal of the program is to help Moroccans who might be living on the streets integrate and help Morocco as a while move forward in a positive direction. The National Human Development Initiative will oversee the entire program, beginning in Casablanca and seeing different components and regions added over time.

Interestingly, the program has separated the beggars into three classes or types: those in need, those who are deviant, and those who are simply out of work. While the majority of beggars are men, nearly 45% are women. The government has dedicated nearly 40 million Moroccan Dirhams to the project in order that it can begin its implementation. Many see it as a step in the right direction that will utimately help tourism in Morocco, but also the society at large.

Brought to you by: Morocco Travel News by Journey Beyond Travel
Source: Imane Belhaj for Magharebia

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